When Junior Vega's fourth-grade class at St. John's Catholic School began reading a novel by C.S. Lewis that is set during World War II, the book sparked the class' interest in the history of their own community and sent them on a walking tour of downtown Russellville.

"We started reading "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," and because it begins during World War II, we started talking about that time period," Vega said. "We decided to walk downtown and talk about what it was like during the 1940s and 50s, so the children could get a feel for the history of Russellville."

Their tour took them to historic buildings such as Peters Family Living, the Shinn Building - which now houses Italian Gardens and The Purse Place - and the depot.

The fourth graders said they were excited about learning the history of the downtown area and the growth of Russellville.

Timbre Cotton, daughter of James and Destranae Cotton of Russellville, said she remembered visiting "a lot of places" as the class walked.

"One building we passed, it was a bank in the old times," Cotton said. "Now, it's Sew Sassy and a jewelry store. I think it's important to know how things used to be because Russellville is a small town, and you can learn a lot about the old times which is important."

"We went to the depot and we learned that the last train left there in 1960," Harpenau said. "Then we went around the corner to Sportscene and C&D Drug. Sportscene used to be a grocery store, but C&D Drug has always been a drug store. There was a fire on that corner and C&D was the only one that survived the fire."

Harpenau said she also remembered learning the Ritz Theatre was once located next to the current location of Italian Gardens and The Purse Place.

"Mr. Peters had rocking chairs for all of us to sit in at his store and he showed us a picture of what the building looked like in the old days compared to now," she said. "There were horses and buggies in the old picture."

The visit to Peters Family Living was also a high point for Andrea Floriani, daughter of Michael and Lisa Floriani of Russellville.

"At Mr. Peters furniture store, he told us they used to have an elevator that was pulled up and an old washing machine that was gas powered," Floriani said. "There was a dance hall and a bowling alley in that building."

Elaine Krystowczyk, daughter of Jim and Jenny Krystowczyk of Russellville, said she remembered learning that "big, giant cables" were the only things holding up Peters furniture store and the next block.

"Near Peters, the road was dirt instead of pavement," Krystowczyk said. "We looked at a place near the road and we could see solid stone under the concrete sticking up. That's what the sidewalks and streets were made of.

"I think it's kind of awesome to learn about a city's history. It makes you think about the past, and that's important."

Montana Jones Hubbard, daughter of Glena and Melissa Hubbard of Russellville, said she enjoyed visiting the Central Presbyterian Church, where the students saw a large stained glass window behind the altar that depicted Jesus in a field.

"It was really pretty," she said. "We also had lunch at the downtown Station House. It was once a deluxe hotel. A long time ago, it was against the law for stores to open on the weekend. But the drug stores would take turns being open."

One student, Laura Batch, daughter of Stan and Alice Batch of Russellville, even recalled learning how Russellville got its name.

"The oldest building in Russellville is the Shinn building," Batch said. "They were about to call this Shinnville, but there was also a man named Mr. Russell, so it got named Russellville."

The students' trip also included a visit to the Museum of History and Prehistory at Arkansas Tech University, where they viewed a World War II exhibit.

Morgan Smith, daughter of Tim and Jeannie Smith of Dover, remembered something she learned from that exhibit.

"When somebody went to war, they put a flag in the window of the house with a red star," Smith said. "If that person died, they would put a gold star up. They also had a quilt with patches from different towns."

Vega said she felt the local history lesson was very beneficial to her students.

"We have more now, but we're more separate as people," Vega said. "I think it made an impression on them to hear about how our town used to be. When they came back from the tour, they had to write 'long-ago stories' about their own families."

When Hubbard interviewed her father for her long-ago story, his observations were similar to Vega's.

"My dad said homes seem to be more separated," Hubbard said. "With TV and computers, it seems we have less quality family time. You don't really get to see how life was back then. My dad tells me how it was, and I compare it with how it is now. It's easier, but we're not as comfortable and don't spend as much time with our families."

Austin Nufer, son of Jeff and Tina Nufer of Russellvile, said he believed knowing the history of your hometown is very important.

"If somebody asks you a question about Russellville, you'd feel better if you could tell them the right answer," he said.

Other fourth graders who participated in the project were Dylan Huml, son of Sharon Huml; Molly Grace Phillips, daughter of Jeff and Page Phillips; and Stephanie Mendoza, daughter of Betty Mendoza; all of Russellville.